Search for the Best Clubhouse Sandwich - Cheers Edition

Cheers - 390 Logan Ave

This week my stomach took me to Cheers on Logan. I have been to Cheers many a times and all for 1 reason - The Clubhouse Sandwich.

As I mentioned in the beginning of this blog - I loved the Wagon Wheel. When it closed it was a very sad day. The week it closed, I managed to get in 1 more clubhouse with fries and gravy. This was commemorated with this picture of my dad (who introduced me to the establishment), my brother who - while touring searches out food like a pig searches for truffles, as well as my brother in law who can be hired as a Moby lookalike.

Cheers is a slightly larger restaurant than the Wagon Wheel but has the same feel. Although they have a fairly good sized parking lot, I have yet to arrive without finding it a little bit challenging to park there. Normally because there are big work trucks and even a school bus today. Luckily I arrive and am able to sit down with no wait. While seated I explained to my lunch mate what I normally eat and that I would suggest the same - The clubhouse.  The waitress who took care of us was quick and efficient and so was our order - Clubhouse sandwich with fries and gravy. My friend had the same but changed the perfectly gooey gravy for a diner favourite - chocolate milkshake. Within 5-7 minutes our food was out and the experience begins. 

You may be asking yourself - Marc - why does this place have such a great Clubhouse sandwich? What makes it so different and who made you the boss? The reason why Cheers has such a great clubhouse sandwich is because they roast their turkey everyday in house. Anytime you have a clubhouse - ask the server. I was recently having lunch at the Met downtown and saw they had a clubhouse sandwich that states: "Fresh roasted white and dark turkey". I asked the server if they roast the turkey in house and if it is a real whole turkey or deli meat. His response was "sort of a mixture of the two". WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN? So there's your first reason - fresh real whole turkey roasted in the same place you eat the sandwich. Secondly is the size and consistency. This sandwich is not your typical heavy on the veggies and light on the meat. There is an inch and a half of fresh turkey - both white and dark meat. Let me say that again an INCH and a HALF. There is a good portion of crispy bacon along with fresh bread - your choice - white multigrain and rye. The fries were crisp and cascaded with homestyle gravy - can't beat that. Finally - the consistency. I could come into Cheers and order this sandwich on any day of the week at any time (and I have) and I know what I am getting. Same portion sizes, same service, and it is fresh. 

Don't believe me? Go and try it out for yourself. This is a top 5 clubhouse sandwich in Winnipeg hands down. Have another place you think I should try - let me know in the comments section?. 

In the Beginning...

Winnipeggers are extremely lucky to be able to have so many ethnic and diverse restaurants to choose from on a daily basis. From Thai, to Ethiopian, to Greek to Chinese there really is a restaurant for everyone.

I have been dubbed by my friends as Winnipeg's Professional Luncher due to the fact that I am attempting to organize a lunch with someone 5 days a week. On this blog you will find that I rarely, if ever, will go to a franchised restaurant. Here in Winnipeg we are a small town, mom and pop type of city and I like to support those efforts.

I am not a professional chef by any means, however, I did work in restaurants for over 5 years and love cooking for my family. I truly am about the basics of cooking a good meal - Keep it Simple and Keep it Fresh -

Every week I will write about a different lunching experience. I would like to encourage all submissions to various lunching locales.

NOTE: I do not Sushi and I do not Fish and Chips. There will be special emphasis on Chinese Food and Club House Sandwiches. With being half Chinese, I find that I am eating it 2 times a week, give or take. As for the Club House Sandwiches, ever since to end of the Wagon Wheel I have been searching for the best Club House Sandwiches in Winnipeg. Where I have discovered some of the best Club House sandwiches might surprise you.

Viva - 505 Sargent Ave

The first review will be an oldie but a goodie. Viva. I went to Viva knowing what I was going to order, receive and enjoy. As per usual, it did not disappoint.

Driving up to the restaurant you wouldn't be the first person to miss it. Unassuming and unpretentious. Parking on Sargent and Spence can be challenging at times, however today I was pleasantly surprised to be able to park right out front. Always a great feeling since being in the West End/Core of Winnipeg there are some interesting characters usually walking around looking for a little pocket change. As I entered the building, the smells fill every inch of the foyer. To me, all I smell is comfort. Strangely enough it was not very busy in the restaurant but I was not complaining. There has been many lunch when I have tried to come on in for a quick bite to find the restaurant packed and a line up out the door. As I walk into the restaurant I notice that they are continuing their renovations of the restaurant. It is nice to see that they are not staying stagnant with the previously out of date décor. The dining room is quaint with maybe 15-20 tables with no wasted space.

I sit down to join my friend and we don't even look at the menus - mostly because - like most other patrons, the staff know who I am and what I am going to be ordering - #28. Simple as that. The only real decision is if we are going to eat a regular or a large. The #28 is a Deluxe Vermicelli - complete with vermicelli noodles, cucumbers, lettuce, bean sprouts, mint, their unreal charbroiled pork, pork balls, to die for spring rolls and shrimp. Let that all sink in. Boom! Most people will then pour the fish sauce on top of the mound of food to make a sort of sauce but not this kid - I like to nude. Each bite is one that I wish I had over and over again. I can eat a large and still feel as though I want more and more. The freshness and expedience of the meal is truly wonderful. Speaking with Phuong, one of the owners of Viva, I learn that this truly family restaurant is where it is today because of "mama". Normally a fixture in the back of house, on busy days you can see her coming out to help with the tables.

We finished our lunch with nary a noodle left in the bowl. We decided to finish up our lunch with a Vietnamese Coffee. Full disclosure, I am not a coffee drinker, but even I enjoy the sweetened condensed milk and slow drip espresso delight. Happy to serve it cold or hot this sweet creamy coffee is delicious.

We finish up our coffee and headed out to pay our bill. I look around and I see all sorts of other favourites being served - from pho (a basketball sized bowl of Vietnamese soup) to more traditional Chinese dishes such as chicken with black bean and Beef Satay. 

If you are looking to take a trip to flavour country and not via a Marlborough - give Viva a try. Please let me know what your favourite dishes are at Viva and I will have to give them a try.